28: Together
moondragon-1001: It was bound to happen. :p
Imari: It'd freak me out too. ^_^;;
Jay Kamiya: Yeap. And a dead shot at that. :p
TigerRain: O_o You want Ray to get hurt? Why!?
Gothic-Wolf: Meow indeed. And ruthless? You talking G-Rev here? Zeo's from that if I remember correctly. And if it is G-Rev... got any pictures? #^_^#
Ethe: Great to see you and welcome to the fic. I've seen the entire first series but only half of V-Force, and I only got to see series one by buying the VHSs. And I'm so glad you're liking this fic.
Not very often you see Ray with a gun. Now I wonder where he got it… :p
Disclaimer: I really don't see the point in doing this. It's just becoming something of a habit.
"Ray?"
"Hey guys." Ray flashed them a quick smile, before glancing over his shoulder toward where Lee had pushed himself up on his hand and knees, head hanging, eyes squeezed closed. "Lee…"
"Ray, free the others," Kai commanded, raising himself up onto one knee, reloading the gun. "That's your primary concern."
Ray nodded, sliding the gun into his pocket and moving toward the cage.
"Ray," Max called. "The key's on the guy you took outs belt."
Ray nodded, turning and moving back toward the man.
"Where did you get that gun?" Mariah demanded, pulling the limp Kevin into her arms and sliding her legs under her. "Answer me, Ray."
"Can it, Mariah." They looked up to see Lee glaring toward her, one hand pressed against his wound as his eyes burned. The fire dimmed as he faltered. "Kevin…"
"He's been shot," Tyson called.
"He needs to get to a medical facility immediately," Mr Dickenson agreed, moving toward the doorway as Ray fumbled with the lock. "We almost lost him this morning, and I'm afraid that if he does not receive treatment, then we might lose him for good."
Ray sighed as he opened the door. "You were right, Lee. About that bad feeling."
"I was hoping I was imagining it." Lee raised himself to his feet, looking toward Kai who had done the same. "What do you think, Phoenix? Know any quick way out?"
"From here, there's only the front door," Kai replied dryly, eyes narrowing at the sound of distant shouting. "Sounds like company. Head for the security lab, everyone. Move. Now."
"Ray," Lee called. "Throw me my gun."
Ray nodded, fishing the weapon from his pocket and tossing it toward Lee, who caught it easily, checking how many rounds he had left. Mariah's eyes widened as she handed Kevin to Gary, what Lee had just said slowly beginning to sink in.
"Wait a minute, your gun?"
"Yeah, so? Got a problem with that?"
"Yes I have a problem with that."
"I thought I told you to can it, Mariah."
"I will not can it. Where did you get it? How could you get it? When your mother finds out that you've got a gun she is going to-"
"Look Mariah, now is not the time or place to get into this," Lee pointed after the others. "Now shut your trap and get moving, got that?"
Mariah glared at him but complied, following the others into the security lab. Kai was last in, closing the door and locking it, gesturing for Gary to block it off before he limped further into the room, eyes scanning the equipment. "Chief?"
Kenny looked up. "Yes Kai?"
"Think you can do something with that radio scanner?"
Kenny turned and spotted the device, grinning from ear to ear, once more in his element. "I sure can. I'll have rescue coming in no time."
"Less talking, more working."
Tyson grinned. "Aye aye, captain Kai."
"And grow up."
"Yes sir."
Kai rolled his eyes, turning a dropping himself in front of a computer, fingers flying across the keys as he slowly went about hacking into the network. He smirked. All these rich dictators had one thing in common: they all used the same software. He had hacked into his grandfather's system years ago, learning every back door and trick to go undetected. Getting into Zika's files would be child's play.
Lee and Ray moved to where Gary had set Kevin down against the wall, kneeling by their old friend's side. Ray reached forward and gently tugged at Kevin's shirt, bringing the wound into view and causing the two elder neko-jin to intake sharply. They exchanged a glance, expression speaking more then words.
"He was saving me." They glanced back and spotted Mariah standing behind them, a saddened expression on her face. "I left my purse in the training room and went back for it. These men came out of nowhere and cornered me, trying to grab me. The others came and… Kevin got angry and he… he attacked them…" She wiped a tear from her eye, fighting to remain calm. "He allowed me to escape and they… and they… shot him."
Lee sighed, shaking his head and looking down at the younger teen, smoothing his hair. "Always the brave one."
"Like someone else I know," Ray said softly, looking at Lee. "You really should get that seen to."
"Yes, Lee," Mariah agreed, kneeling beside them. "You're bleeding bad-"
"Later." Lee shot first her a look, then Ray, gaze telling them to be silent. "I'll get checked out once this is over. Right now we don't have the time."
Mariah slid up against the wall and cradled Kevin against her, the other two neko-jin watching curiously with a small amount of envy. Mariah gently caressed Kevin's face, the teen mewing softly, causing her to blink. "Kevin?"
Lee leant forward. "I'm here, Kevin. We'll get you out of here, my friend."
"Hn." They looked up to see Kai grinning, eyes sparkling with evil intent as he gazed at the screen. Before anyone could ask him what was the matter, he glanced back at them. "All rich bastards use the same software. I've got complete access to Zika's files and facility information." He glanced at Kenny. "Got that thing working yet?"
"Almost." Kenny looked up. "Think you can feed us through to a satellite dish?"
Kai's fingers flew across the keys at a rapid speed, causing Tyson to gawk. "Done."
"Let me give you the BBA channel," Mr Dickenson said, joining Kenny as the nerd began to twist knobs.
Shaking his head in wonderment, Tyson leant up against a bench, noticing a box sitting on it. He gazed at it for a moment before curiosity won out over logic and he tugged at the latches, lifting the lid. His eyes lid up as he took in the contents. "Heeey! Our Beyblades! Sweet!"
"Seriously?" Max joined him, plucking a green blade from the collection. "Draciel! All right!"
"You'd think they'd know not to give American's sugar," Kai muttered, eyes narrowing as he plucked another disk from the stack he had found, downloading all of Zika's files onto them and setting them into a box. He smirked. "But then, they were dumb enough to take me on." He glanced over his shoulder. "Chief?"
"Mr Dickenson's talking to the BBA right now," Kenny replied. "They're sending out a rescue team." He paused, slapping a hand against his forehead. "Oh no! We don't know where we are!"
Lee reached into his pocket, pulling out Kai's note and standing, crossing the room and handing it to Mr Dickenson. "Here. It's the address of this dump."
Kai glanced at Lee as the elder teen leant heavily against a bench, one hand pressed against his wound, blood seeping out from between his fingers. Kai's leg faired no better. The bullet had lodged itself somewhere in his thigh, and every movement felt like fire was tearing through it. Well, at least it wasn't as bad as last time.
"Guys." They turned toward Gary who was standing watching the many screens plastered along one wall. He pointed to an image. "What's that?"
Kai looked up, eyes widening. "Shit."
"I don't like it when you say that," Tyson said, glancing at him.
"Everyone try and get under cover," Kai said, pulling the last disk from the drive and switching the computer off, sliding the box into one of his pockets and grabbing his gun. "We've got company coming."
Eclipse had a standoff. And this one will have a good old-fashioned shoot out. Yeehaw. ^_^
Quick note: sorry for not updating sooner, but the login on FF.N was down last night.